List of unresolved issues between Ukraine and Russia substantially diminishes – Rubio

He stated this on Wednesday, February 4, while answering a journalist's question about the progress of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, Ukrinform reports.

"We think we've made real progress [over the past year]. If you look at the checklist of open items that existed at this time last year and the checklist of open items that remain now in terms of reaching a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, that list has been substantially diminished. That's the good news," Rubio said.

At the same time, he noted that the bad news is that the issues remaining on the checklist are the most difficult ones.

"Meanwhile the war continues. All I can say in that regard is that we are investing at a very high level, a substantial amount of time and energy to this endeavour, we are going to continue to do everything we can to see if there is a breakthrough," Rubio added.

He noted that when it comes to ending conflicts, "oftentimes it looks totally hopeless until you have this breakthrough that sometimes is unforeseen."

As Ukrinform previously reported, a round of peace talks involving delegations from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia concluded in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, February 4.

Photo: Official State Department